Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature review
Purpose: Several scholars have pointed out that absorptive capacity (AC) is critical for the innovation process in large firms. However, many other authors consider startups as key drivers for innovation in the current global economy. Therefore, this article aims to identify how the concept of AC ha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jemi.edu.pl/uploadedFiles/file/all-issues/vol17/issue1/JEMI_Vol17_Issue1_2021_Article3.pdf |
| _version_ | 1826905519495839744 |
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| author | Ximena Alejandra Flechas Chaparro Ricardo Kozesinski Alceu Salles Camargo Júnior |
| author_facet | Ximena Alejandra Flechas Chaparro Ricardo Kozesinski Alceu Salles Camargo Júnior |
| author_sort | Ximena Alejandra Flechas Chaparro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: Several scholars have pointed out that absorptive capacity (AC) is critical for the innovation process in large firms. However, many other authors consider startups as key drivers for innovation in the current global economy. Therefore, this article aims to identify how the concept of AC has been addressed in the new venture context. Methodology: A systematic literature review analyzing 220 papers published between 2001 and 2018. Findings: The systematic literature review identifies three clusters of research addressing AC in startups: Knowledge, Innovation, and Performance, along with the central authors of the discussion, the main contributions, theoretical references, and their future research agenda guidelines. Implications for theory and practice: This study contributes to the innovation and entrepreneurship literature by connecting the importance of AC and new venture creation, and providing a better understanding of how entrepreneurs could enhance their innovative processes. Originality and value: Based on the analysis of the literature review, a framework that differentiates knowledge acquisition strategies for new ventures was created. The framework categorizes the strategies according to the knowledge source (i.e., internal or external) and the degree of intentionality (i.e., formal or informal). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:42:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-05aae91d85ee4eceb33ec1c57f5d6ea4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2299-7326 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-17T08:30:14Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation |
| spelling | doaj.art-05aae91d85ee4eceb33ec1c57f5d6ea42025-01-02T22:04:53ZengCognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and ScienceJournal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation2299-73262021-01-01171579510.7341/20211712Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature reviewXimena Alejandra Flechas Chaparro0Ricardo Kozesinski1Alceu Salles Camargo Júnior2Ph.D. student. Faculty of Economics, Administration, and Accounting, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Avenida Professor Luciano Gualberto, 908 - Butantã - São Paulo/SP - 05508-010, BrazilPh.D. candidate. Faculty of Economics, Administration, and Accounting, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Avenida Professor Luciano Gualberto, 908 - Butantã - São Paulo/SP - 05508-010, BrazilAssociate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, Administration, and Accounting, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Avenida Professor Luciano Gualberto, 908 - Butantã - São Paulo/SP - 05508-010, BrazilPurpose: Several scholars have pointed out that absorptive capacity (AC) is critical for the innovation process in large firms. However, many other authors consider startups as key drivers for innovation in the current global economy. Therefore, this article aims to identify how the concept of AC has been addressed in the new venture context. Methodology: A systematic literature review analyzing 220 papers published between 2001 and 2018. Findings: The systematic literature review identifies three clusters of research addressing AC in startups: Knowledge, Innovation, and Performance, along with the central authors of the discussion, the main contributions, theoretical references, and their future research agenda guidelines. Implications for theory and practice: This study contributes to the innovation and entrepreneurship literature by connecting the importance of AC and new venture creation, and providing a better understanding of how entrepreneurs could enhance their innovative processes. Originality and value: Based on the analysis of the literature review, a framework that differentiates knowledge acquisition strategies for new ventures was created. The framework categorizes the strategies according to the knowledge source (i.e., internal or external) and the degree of intentionality (i.e., formal or informal).https://jemi.edu.pl/uploadedFiles/file/all-issues/vol17/issue1/JEMI_Vol17_Issue1_2021_Article3.pdfinnovationabsorptive capacitystartupsnew venturesentrepreneurship |
| spellingShingle | Ximena Alejandra Flechas Chaparro Ricardo Kozesinski Alceu Salles Camargo Júnior Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature review Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation innovation absorptive capacity startups new ventures entrepreneurship |
| title | Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature review |
| title_full | Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature review |
| title_fullStr | Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature review |
| title_short | Absorptive capacity in startups: A systematic literature review |
| title_sort | absorptive capacity in startups a systematic literature review |
| topic | innovation absorptive capacity startups new ventures entrepreneurship |
| url | https://jemi.edu.pl/uploadedFiles/file/all-issues/vol17/issue1/JEMI_Vol17_Issue1_2021_Article3.pdf |
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